18 Path Chartered (1/2)

He kneeled down next to the stream like a man who found a higher calling and cupped water and drunk heavy gulps without care, as the water slicked his through it was refreshing and crisp.

Looking into the water at his own reflection, Caleb's hair was disheveled and eyes drooping .he cupped the water and threw it into his face.

”Now let's get this little buddy clean” with a grimace he knew he needed to now do a grim task of gutting it and he would not allow the sacrifice of the creature to be in vain.

Placing the carcass in the stream the water washed away debris blood and dirt all the same ,the fur now had a luster like sheen which Caleb admired , Caleb placed his horn in the stream to clean and admired how the horn did not dull as it was as sharp as when it first came out, he was thankful.

Placing his hands tightly on the horn with a wavering hand he pushed in and a gut-churning squelch resounded as it pierced and it smelled horrid, without daring to look he pulled and a disgusting tearing churned Caleb's insides, Caleb stirred his confidence and looked at the newly cut open carcass.

He ran with a qweesy pace and puked into the rushing waters, as he his stomach upheaval of its contents a distinct burning through his mouth and throat was feltand with a few heavy breathes he steadied himself ,he approached the now opened carcass and brought it to the stream ,as he placed it in the stream he slowly removed the delicate insides by hand not wanting to pierce anything and spoil the meat ,the soft pink fleshy organs were slimy and hard to remove, as Caleb touched them he cringed but he soldiered on he pulls hard they came loose and not long after from the with a ghastly precision each and every organ was removed and the cringing face now caused his face to feel sore.

After the removal of the insides, he removed the last bits of skin which lay on it but allowed the now-gutted flesh lay on it so it did not be tainted by the dirty floor

Looking at his work he looked at the stream ,he stared upwards to the streaks of crimson water flowing down the stream and stood up ,he needed a distraction and getting a fire started was the best choice ,he gathered sticks and stones, with the horn a long stick was carved to have a point like spear to it and 2 Ys of wood formed just outside a stone circle with some wood inside with dried leaves .

Caleb grabbed a log and split it with the horn and made a divit in the middle and took a stick which fit snug into the divit

”Hope this works”

Clasping the long stick in 2 flattened hands he spun the stick.

He continued fruitlessly and looked at the blackened wood which smoked and nothing came of his effort and he was annoyed, he raised the stick from where it lay , an ember with a faint glow lay there in the blackened wood like a diamond in the rough.

With a ping of realisation and internal swearing at his mistake with a scoop he picked the ember with his bare hands carless to the pain and ran towards the hearth he created, with a clumsy fall the ember gently flew down, swaying in the winds which wissiled within the forest onto the dry leaves, with a fast ignition the fire started .